AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about an inch into the Montecristo No. 2, when the world outside the ash tray ceases to exist. The tapered head, a perfect cone of silken Colorado leaf, resists the flame for a heartbeat before surrendering. The first draw is a study in restraint: a wave of refined cream that carries toasted almond and a ghost of white pepper, all resting on that unmistakable Cuban earth — not the damp soil of a garden, but the dry, mineral-rich dust of a Vuelta Abajo field after a long summer. This is the cigar that defined the torpedo format, and it begins not with a statement, but with a whisper that demands you lean closer.
As the burn line crawls past the shoulder and into the belly of the 52-ring gauge, the narrative shifts. The creaminess thickens into a dense espresso, dark and slightly bitter, while a layer of sweet hay and a faint, dried rose petal floral note weave through the retrohale. The cedar from the opening becomes more pronounced, but it is the emergence of a honeyed sweetness — not cloying, but deliberate — that signals the transition. This is the point where lesser cigars peak and fade; the No. 2 instead opens a second act. The draw, now fully opened by the widest part of the piramide, delivers a saturation of flavor that feels almost decadent. Leather, dates, and raisins fold into the espresso, creating a profile that is both rich and impeccably balanced. The legendary reputation is not earned in the first third; it is cemented here, in the smoky, sweet, and earthy middle passage.
The final third is a descent into a more rugged landscape. The honey recedes, replaced by dark roast coffee and charred oak. Black pepper asserts itself on the tongue, while a subtle, flinty mineral quality adds a final layer of complexity. The finish is long, trailing off into a dry cocoa powder that lingers for minutes after the last draw. The cigar never loses its composure; even at its most robust, the balance holds. The ash, a firm, dense column of grey and white, holds for over an inch before tapping off cleanly. This is a cigar that rewards patience — not just in the smoking, but in the anticipation. A properly rested box, aged five years or more, transforms the already excellent into the transcendent, softening the edges and deepening the honeyed notes into something almost ethereal. The No. 2 is not a cigar you smoke; it is a cigar you experience, a benchmark against which all other torpedoes are measured, and a reminder that the Cuban craft, at its peak, remains an art form.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban — Vuelta Abajo, Seco and Ligero leaves, San Luis and San Juan y Martínez regions — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban — Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban — Vuelta Abajo Seco, Ligero, and Volado leaves; aged a minimum of two years at the H. Upmann factory |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (La Corona) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.1 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $45–$65 per cigar (MSRP varies significantly by market; UK/EU LCDH pricing differs from grey/secondary market) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years of leaf aging pre-rolling; benefits substantially from post-production box aging of 3–5 years; seasone |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head opens with a refined creaminess — toasted almonds, white pepper, and a distinctive Cuban earthiness underscored by fresh cedar. As the coal establishes, sweet hay, mild cocoa, and a faint floral note (dried rose) emerge. Retrohale delivers a clean white pepper spice with no harshness.
Second Third
Complexity intensifies markedly — the creaminess evolves into rich espresso and dark chocolate, joined by leather, dried fruit (dates, raisins), and a honeyed sweetness that balances the earthy backbone. The ring gauge opening into the torpedo's widest point dramatically opens the draw and amplifies flavor saturation. This is where the cigar earns its legendary reputation.
Final Third
The final third turns toward deeper, more robust territory — dark roast coffee, charred oak, black pepper, and a subtle mineral quality emerge. The sweetness recedes slightly but never disappears, maintaining balance. The finish is long, complex, and persistently earthy with a satisfying dry cocoa aftertaste that lingers for minutes.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — the piramide cut (a straight cut just above the shoulder is preferred over a V-cut) delivers a slightly firm but highly satisfying draw with excellent smoke volume. The burn is even and deliberate given the tapered foot; a careful light is essential. Ash holds in firm, dense columns of 1–1.5 inches, and the burn line self-corrects well.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum (Havana Club 15-Year or Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo) is the canonical pairing — the rum's vanilla and molasses complement the cigar's earthy sweetness perfectly. Single malt Scotch from Speyside (Glenfarclas 15 or Aberlour 16) also works brilliantly, adding sherry-dried fruit synergy.
Wine
A structured Rioja Gran Reserva (Muga or López de Heredia Viña Tondonia) or a mid-weight Brunello di Montalcino — the cigar's earthiness and leather notes resonate beautifully with Tempranillo and Sangiovese tannins without overpowering the Cuban terroir.
Non-Alcoholic
A freshly pulled double espresso — preferably a Cuban-style cortadito — mirrors the cigar's roasted cocoa and earthy tones with uncanny harmony. Alternatively, a high-quality single-origin dark roast cold brew amplifies the chocolate midpalate.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a dedicated humidor, not a drawer. You are someone who has already smoked through the standard production lines and now seeks the definitive expression of a format. You are sitting on a quiet patio at dusk, a glass of Havana Club 15-Year resting on the arm of your chair, with no agenda for the next ninety minutes. You have a box of these that has been resting for four years, and you pull one out for a milestone — a promotion, an anniversary, or simply a Tuesday that felt heavier than it should have. You already appreciate the finesse of a Cohiba Siglo VI but crave the earthier, more rustic soul of Vuelta Abajo. This cigar will not surprise you with raw power; it will reward you with a slow, unfolding complexity that demands your full attention. It will give you a quiet, contemplative hour and a half, and a finish that lingers long after the ash is tapped.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is the undisputed king of the torpedo format, a masterclass in balance and progression that justifies its legendary status. Smoke it with reverence, and it will reward you with one of the finest hours in the cigar world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a gentle, warming presence on the palate and a mild nicotine buzz that builds slowly over the 90-minute smoke, but it will not overwhelm you or leave you lightheaded. The strength is more about flavor intensity than nicotine kick, especially in the final third where the dark roast and black pepper notes become more pronounced.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The flavor arc is distinct. The first third opens with toasted almonds, white pepper, fresh cedar, and a distinctive Cuban earthiness, evolving into sweet hay and dried rose. The second third deepens into rich espresso, dark chocolate, leather, dates, raisins, and a honeyed sweetness. The final third turns to dark roast coffee, charred oak, black pepper, and a subtle mineral quality, finishing with a lingering dry cocoa aftertaste.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Plan for 90 to 100 minutes. The Torpedo (Piramide) vitola at 6.1 x 52 inches requires a slow, deliberate pace to fully appreciate its evolving profile. Rushing it will cause the cigar to overheat and turn bitter, so allow for a full, unhurried session.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
Aged Cuban rum, specifically Havana Club 15-Year or Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo, is the canonical pairing. The rum's vanilla and molasses notes directly complement the cigar's honeyed sweetness and earthy backbone, creating a harmonious synergy. For a non-alcoholic option, a freshly pulled Cuban-style cortadito mirrors the cigar's roasted cocoa and earthy tones with uncanny precision.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
Honestly, no. While the strength is Medium and manageable, the $45–$65 per cigar price point is a significant investment for a palate that is still developing. The cigar's complexity — the subtle shifts from cream to espresso to charred oak — requires a seasoned smoker to fully appreciate. A beginner would be better served starting with a milder, more affordable Cuban like a Montecristo No. 4 to build their palate before tackling this masterpiece.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
Your best bet is a La Casa del Habano (LCDH) franchise store, which is the official retail network for Cuban cigars and guarantees authenticity and proper storage. Authorized Habanos Specialist retailers in your country are also reliable sources. Avoid grey market or secondary sellers unless you are an expert who can verify provenance, as fakes are common for this iconic vitola.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
The MSRP varies significantly by market, but you should expect to pay between $45 and $65 per cigar. UK and EU LCDH pricing is typically higher due to tobacco taxes, while prices in Canada, Asia, and the grey market can differ substantially. Always buy from a trusted source to ensure you are paying for a genuine product.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. The filler leaves are aged a minimum of two years pre-rolling, but the cigar benefits substantially from post-production box aging of 3–5 years. A well-rested No. 2 will have a softer, more integrated profile where the honeyed sweetness deepens and the harsh edges of the pepper mellow into a more refined spice. Aging transforms it from excellent to transcendent, making it a worthy investment for your humidor.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper, specifically Seco and Ligero leaves sourced from the San Luis and San Juan y Martínez regions. This Colorado-shade wrapper is a medium-brown with a subtle reddish hue and a silky texture. It contributes the initial notes of cedar and white pepper, and its natural oils are responsible for the cigar's beautiful sheen and its ability to produce dense, flavorful smoke.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
It is made entirely by hand (totalmente a mano) at the H. Upmann Factory (La Corona) in Havana, Cuba. The piramide vitola requires exceptional skill from the torcedores, as the closed foot taper demands precise bunching and rolling to ensure an even burn and a perfect draw. This is a standard production line cigar, though regional editions (EL, RE) using the No. 2 format have been released intermittently.